CLASSIFICATIONS OF WEATHER DISTURBANCES 1.

Low pressure area Region of the atmosphere in which the pressures are lower than those of the surrounding region at the same level and where the cloud masses do not appear to be organized. 2. Extra-tropical disturbance Synoptic scale low pressure area outside of the tropics or former tropical disturbance having lost its tropical characteristics. 3. Sub-tropical disturbance Synoptic scale low pressure area having during its life, characteristic which could belong to both tropical and extra-tropical depressions. In the South West Indian Ocean, the genesis of such system is regularly observed over the South of Mozambique Channel. 4. Zone of disturbed weather Non-frontal synoptic scale low pressure area originating in the tropics or sub-tropics with enhanced convection and light surface winds. 5. Tropical wave Trough or cyclonic curvature maximum in the trade wind easterlies or equatorial westerlies. The wave may reach maximum amplitude in the lower middle troposphere, or may be the reflexion of an upper-troposphere cold low or equatorial extension of a mid-latitude trough. 6. Tropical depression Tropical disturbance in which the maximum of the average wind speed is estimated to be in the range 28 to 33 knots (51 to 62 km/h, force 7 in the Beaufort scale). 7. Tropical disturbance Generic term for a non-frontal synoptic scale low pressure area, originating over tropical or sub-tropical waters with organized convection and definite cyclonic surface wind circulation (wind estimated to be not exceeding 27 knots (50 km/h, force 6 in the Beaufort scale)). 8. Moderate tropical storm Tropical disturbance in which the maximum of the average wind speed is estimated to be in the range 34 to 47 knots (63 to 88 km/h, force 8 or 9 in the Beaufort scale). 9. Severe tropical storm Tropical disturbance in which the maximum of the average wind speed is estimated to be in the range 48 to 63 knots (89 to 117 km/h, force 10 or 11 in the Beaufort scale). 10. Tropical cyclone Tropical disturbance in which the maximum of the average wind speed is estimated to be in the range 64 to 89 knots (118 to 165 km/h, force 12 in the Beaufort scale). 11. Intense tropical cyclone Tropical disturbance in which the maximum of the average wind speed is estimated to be in the range 90 to 115 knots (166 to 212 km/h). 12. Very intense tropical cyclone Tropical disturbance in which the maximum of the average wind speed is estimated to exceed 115 knots (212 km/h).